Convenience and Speed Secured with DT Payment System... Drive-Thru Stores Growing Rapidly

McDonald's and Starbucks Introduce 'Hi-Pass' for Fast Payment
Industry: Increased DT Usage Possible Due to Endemic and Delivery Transaction Decline

Exterior view of McDonald's Masan Seokjeon DT branch. Photo by McDonald's

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] As demand for drive-through purchases, which allow customers to buy food and beverages while staying in their cars, gradually increases, franchise companies are expanding so-called 'Drive-Through (DT)' stores. They are also actively enhancing competitiveness by introducing new payment systems to avoid traffic congestion and other issues.

According to the franchise industry on the 21st, McDonald's Korea has become the first in the country to introduce a Hi-Pass payment system to its DT service. This payment system works like a Hi-Pass tollgate on highways, where vehicles equipped with Hi-Pass devices are charged for their orders when entering and exiting the DT lane. It is currently being piloted at the Goyang Samsong DT store and Songpa Jamsil DT store, with plans to expand to 30 stores nationwide by the first half of next year. McDonald's currently operates the 'McDrive Platform' in over 60% (about 240) of its more than 400 stores nationwide.

Starbucks, which introduced DT stores early in the domestic coffee industry, has also implemented the 'My DT Pass' system to shorten payment times. My DT Pass links vehicle information with a prepaid card, automatically charging the order menu upon exit to reduce waiting time. The number of registered members has surpassed 2 million as of today.

The cumulative number of Starbucks DT stores has steadily increased since the first store was introduced in 2012: 4 stores in 2013, 58 in 2015, 133 in 2017, 232 in 2019, 331 last year, and 386 as of the end of last month.

Lotteria currently operates about 40 DT stores out of approximately 1,330 stores nationwide, with cumulative sales at DT stores increasing by about 10% compared to the previous year as of the end of last month. Burger King and Paul Bassett are also increasing their DT store introductions. Burger King, operating 462 stores as of the end of last month, runs more than 20% of them in DT format, while Paul Bassett has 13 DT stores out of 127 total stores. Both food and beverage brands plan to continue opening new stores, including DT stores, next year to expand offline contact points with customers.

An industry insider said, "With the COVID-19 endemic leading to increased outdoor activities and rising delivery fees causing a decline in delivery transactions, there is significant potential for drive-through usage to increase in the future."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.